Here's your IRC client primer.
The web interface connects to an irc server. That server is irc.mibbit.com
Our chat is #nycnano.
Step 1:
Download a Client. There are many available. XChat is a client that exists on both Windows and Mac and is free. I have personally tested both these clients and found that they work. There are many others, with varying degrees of freeness.
Step 2: Add the server to the client. Both these clients will prompt you to enter a server when you first use the program. Click the little plus and type irc.mibbit.com . You can also choose your default nick so that when you sign in, you don't have to specify your name every time.
Step 3: Type '/join #nycnano' in the little command line on the bottom.
Step 4: Chat away.
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Olga. Famous. Tyranny.
NYC - Brooklyn Co-ML (Williamsburg/Greenpoint)
43,115 / 50,000
Nov 3, 2009 - 21 31
Okay, after playing with it a bit longer, I may have gotten it. Woohoo! (?)
The confusion was that the program opened and showed me a list of networks, which I assume I don't want. When I got the type-y box, there wasn't a specific prompt for a server, so I typed in /server irc.mibbit.com, and then when it asked me to join a channel, I typed in the nycnano thing. I think I got it, but there was only one other (non-responsive) person in the room, so I left. Is that right, or am I still confused??
32,108 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 04 40
You got it right. The room isn't always populated, but sounds like you were right on with the directions.
----------Olga. Famous. Tyranny.
NYC - Brooklyn Co-ML (Williamsburg/Greenpoint)
20,962 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 08 13
If people are looking for other IRC clients, I recommend mIRC. Also free, definitely works on Windows, not sure about Mac. I like it because of the fact that you can change your color-coding. Want to ring bells if anyone ever says your name? Done.
If you are on linux/unix like me, irssi is serving me very well at the moment.
I didn't get on the chat last night and I got no writing done! boo!
75,578 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 08 46
Also, just a heads up that the problems with the chat are a known issue with Firefox. It's a conflict with the sound (which annoyingly cannot be turned off). So if you are having problems but you don't want to go to an irc client and you are using firefox, try a different browser.
----------Livvy, but you can call me Weebles
Manhattan co-ML
NaNoWrimo Haiku: 30 days of noveling, 17 syllables at a time
45,654 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 09 12
If you are on linux/unix like me, irssi is serving me very well at the moment.
I didn't get on the chat last night and I got no writing done! boo!
Egad, i used mIRC umm... 12 years ago? Feelin' old now...
----------Not the sharpest clown in the happy meal.
0 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 10 31
The best IRC client for Mac is Colloquy: http://colloquy.info/
32,108 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 13 01
Colloquy doesn't work with snow leopard. That said, I find xchat to use less resources than colloquy as well.
----------Olga. Famous. Tyranny.
NYC - Brooklyn Co-ML (Williamsburg/Greenpoint)
0 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 15 53
QUOTE: "Colloquy doesn't work with snow leopard. That said, I find xchat to use less resources than colloquy as well."
Huh. Colloquy seems to be working just fine on my Mac with Snow Leopard.
20,962 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 08 28
ha ha.
the oldies are always the goodies, I say.
11,623 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 12 23
I downloaded the XChat thing but it can't find #nycnano? I dunno, maybe I'm doing something wrong...